Grantland: The Cowboys have built the leagues best OL, but at what cost?

The Cowboys like to create a pure talent board without building in need and other issues. The idea being that if they build need into the board, then need will also affect the decision makers at the time of the draft and therefore need will be a 2x influence on the pick.

The problem with Floyd was a disconnect between the scouts and coaches. In 2013 and some prior years the board was created by Tom Ciskowski. It appears that the Floyd issue got him demoted and Will McClay took over the board in 2014. If you've ever seen an interview with those two guys, it's easy to see why McClay would be better at interacting with coaches and management than Ciskowski.

Yeah I was being a jerk in trying to throw a little salt on that disconnect with Floyd in 13. That really had my teeth grind when I heard about that lack of professionalism on the part of management. The team did scoop Fred/TW (got lucky tbh considering the confusion but not complaining either). I agree about the pure talent board for draft value like @jrumann59 mentioned and also your point about not over valuing draft prospects at need positions. The one thing I (and everyone I guess) would like the team to improve on is taking their mid round selections more seriously. It seems the team tends to get cute post round 3 when there is still legitimate talent on the board like with MJ, Coale, Webb, Randle, and even Hitchens but will obviously wait on him. I understand McClay has more power in the board and direction, and really outside of 2nd round TEs, the team has improved greatly in their early selections. Carter/Claiborne had the talent (RKG? couldn't resist) and are prime for a rebound.

Yeah I was being a jerk in trying to throw a little salt on that disconnect with Floyd in 13. That really had my teeth grind when I heard about that lack of professionalism on the part of management. The team did scoop Fred/TW (got lucky tbh considering the confusion but not complaining either). I agree about the pure talent board for draft value like @jrumann59 mentioned and also your point about not over valuing draft prospects at need positions. The one thing I (and everyone I guess) would like the team to improve on is taking their mid round selections more seriously. It seems the team tends to get cute post round 3 when there is still legitimate talent on the board like with MJ, Coale, Webb, Randle, and even Hitchens but will obviously wait on him. I understand McClay has more power in the board and direction, and really outside of 2nd round TEs, the team has improved greatly in their early selections. Carter/Claiborne had the talent (RKG? couldn't resist) and are prime for a rebound.

I don't have a problem with them drafting players that didn't line up with the draft media's projections like Matt Johnson and Hitchens.

I'm pretty sure there was at least 4 defensive players that the Cowboys would have taken had they not already been off the board prior to their pick this past draft. They took the BPA...so now we're supposed to draft for need? I really can't keep up with how many times people change their minds on the best draft strategy, but I'm going to take a guess that it is the opposite of whatever the Cowboys did in the previous draft.

When are we going to challenge the notion that guards and centers aren't worth 1st round picks?

All studies show that centers and guards are among the safest and most reliable first round selections. We saw that last year with Fred. We hope to see that again with Martin.

And no the investment hasn't been that great.for the 16th and 31st pick especially when you add Williams to the mix.

More than anything you follow your board. We have. Let's move along people.

You should link the studies. But my point isn't that they're not safe. It's that they're resources most teams find lower in the draft. Like running backs or halfbacks or punters or kickers...only not as obviously.

And again, I'm not complaining about either player. I really like them both. It's just not the most efficient use of resources. And we wouldn't have drafted either guy if the picks in front of us broke more in our favor. That's not exactly controversial to say.

You should link the studies. But my point isn't that they're not safe. It's that they're resources most teams find lower in the draft. Like running backs or halfbacks or punters or kickers...only not as obviously.

And again, I'm not complaining about either player. I really like them both. It's just not the most efficient use of resources. And we wouldn't have drafted either guy if the picks in front of us broke more in our favor. That's not exactly controversial to say.

Just a quick search.

The interior offensive linemen have produced the best results, though they only account for less than 6 percent of the selections. When these players are being given a high mark on the draft boards they are living up to the expectations as the projections from college seem to translate into NFL ability. Guards have done particularly well as nearly 43% of those taken have gone on to be considered all pro level players. While the centers have yet to produce at that level they also have not produced a first round bust either and well over 50% of guards and centers are going on to be considered good NFL talent. 7 of the 8 guards have played in a Super Bowl and 2 of the 4 centers have done the same making this a strong position for good teams to upgrade to in the mid to late 1st round.

I can't get over any complication in taking a whole offensive line with zero net value just three seasons removed, and ending up with an across the front, credible one and all of which is below the tundra of chilling costs...and having disagreement upon anything dealing with that fact.

I get it....oh, oh, oh...I want some star war action figures. (geeze, chuckling to self)

Cool. This actually matches my expectations. It stands to reason that the hit rate is high when relatively few at the position are chosen. They're getting cherry picked. Teams aren't tempted to reach early when options exist later in the draft.

I don't have a problem with them drafting players that didn't line up with the draft media's projections like Matt Johnson and Hitchens.

I do (respectfully), they don't have the players on the roster that mgmt can point to that justifies their reaching. Maybe Frederick, but he was a 1st RD/higher grade. I would think they would go with the safer choices to account for the poor drafting and lack of depth on the team. If we were a perennial playoff team I could accept that perspective. The team would have proven they know what they are doing and not simply being arrogant/ignorant with these mid round reaches. Who was the last good to great player that they reached for post round 3 (honest q)? I don't believe OScan was a reach (5th).

OK, everyone agrees the O line is going to be good. Now, when Murray starts getting chunks of yards against a quality opponent are we going to feed him the ball like they did with Emmitt or start passing for no reason and keep the game close? That's what happened last year. I just don't think Garrett likes to stick with run when its working and I only hope a new OC will change this.........

Cool. This actually matches my expectations. It stands to reason that the hit rate is high when relatively few at the position are chosen. They're getting cherry picked. Teams aren't tempted to reach early when options exist later in the draft.

It isn't that teams just wait for options later in drafts it's that very few centers and guards merit first round grades. But when they do you take them and plug them in and don't worry about them for a decade.

That's invaluable for a squad. You know you have a position locked up for years and years. You don't have to waste draft resources constantly finding short term solutions.

Thanks for that info. Seems we've solidified those two positions that fit (C/G) with Fred/Martin. Will make it that much easier for the transition when it comes time to replace Romo, not to forget Tyron as a coveted top LT. The next QB will have much of it in place for them. I think JJ won't go the cheap route displayed when replacing Aikman and the team will even move up in the first if need be to get their guy.